Guide-rail lubricator for elevators.



G. PRIGGEN.

GUIDE RAIL' LUBRIGATOR FOB. ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1912.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

04660 rney 5y, @emm.

G. PRIGGEN.

GUIDE RAIL LUBRIGATOB FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29. 1912.

1,052,171. Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET z.

506672 638 esx J72 we 7260 r.-

i Q y 042%0 rney GEORGE PRIGGEN, OF ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

GUIDE-RAIL LUBRICATOR FOR ELEVATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

Application filed April 29, 1912. Serial No. 693,891.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE PRIGGEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Arlington, in the county of Middlesex,

State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Guide Rail Lubricators for Elevators, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

The invention relates mainly to elevator guide-rail lubricators.

In part it relates more generally to lubri cators employing solidlubricant.

A lubricator on the order of that in connection with which the variousimprovements are shown embodied herein is designed more particularly forapplication to the moving car of an elevator, as, for instance, to acrossbar at the top of the said car, and is employed for the purpose ofapplying solid lubricant in connection with a guide-rail. It is alsodesigned for application to the counterweightof an elevator to applylubricant to a guide-rail therefor,

and may readily be adapted for use in con nection with the plunger of anelevator. The place and manner of application of the device are notmaterial, and the invention is not necessarily restricted to employmentin connection with elevators.

The invention consists in an automatic guide-rail lubricator comprisinga case or shell having a recess or slot adapted to receive andsubstantially fit the guide-rail to be lubricated, and provided with aholder or container for a stick or candle of grease or other solidlubricant, said holder or container being inclined downwardly andforwardly so that the said stick or candle gravitates toward the edge ofthe guide-rail.

One feature of the invention is a guide or holder for the stick orcandle of lubricant having the bottom thereof formed with convergingsides, their apex downward, so that said bottom is like a V-shapedtrough. I usually make the holder, for convenience, as a tube ofrectangular cross-section.

Another feature of the invention consists in cutting away at the sidesthe front end of the tube within which the stick or candle of lubricantis contained, so as to provide ample clearance between such sides andthe surface of the guiderail, to prevent the sides from scraping thelubricant from the guiderail, and accumulating the same so as to clogthe lower end of the guide-tube. Also so as to afford opportunity forthe escape laterally of fragments which may crumble or break away fromthe front end of the said stick or candle, so as by permitting suchescape to prevent the clogging of the front end of the said tube andobvi ate any tendency of the stick or candle to catch and fail toadvance or feed.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing a support for theouter end of the stick or candle of lubricant by which to hold such end,and the greater portion of the length of the stick or candle, out ofcontact with the interior surface of the guidetube, so as thereby toreduce the extent of contact of the stick or candle with'tl-e saidsurface and lessen the friction and the tendency of the candleto' adhereto the said the stick or candle of Figs. 1 and 2 and the.

supporting and indicating stem at the outer end thereof, the parts beingseparated. Fig. i is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a differentmeans of connecting the stem with the stick or candle. Figs. 5 and 6show other means of effecting the connec tion between the stick orcandle and the stem. Fig. 7 is a view of the stick or candle and thetubular holder therefor in section in the plane of line 7, 7, of Fig. 2.

Having reference to the drawings, at 1 is the shell or case of thelubricator. 2 is the bottom thereof, 3 being a movable cover which inthis instance is hinged to the shell or case by its outer end. To fitthe guiderail in connection with which the device is used, the bottomand the front of the shell or case are slotted as shown, and the coveris slotted similarly to the bottom, the slotsand fitting a hole throughthe said boss or.

nipple. The stick or candle 8 of lubricant is placed within the saidtube 7. While the shape of the tubular holder and guide in cross-sectionmay vary in different cases in go ide-rail.

practice, I preferably employ as one feature of the invention aguide-tube of rectangular cross-section, and arrange it in the shell orcase with one of the angles below, so that a stick or candle within thetube and resting against the lower portion of the interior thereof shallcontact with the said interior only along lines at opposite sides of thesaid angle, thereby reducing the extent of the superficial contactbetween the stick or can die and the interior of the guide-tube to theminimum extent. Thus, tendency to friction between the stick or candleand the interior of the guide-tube, and to adhesion of the stick orcandle to the said interior, are minimized. The opening through the bossor nipple 6 is inclined downwardly toward the front of the device, sothat the guidetube 7 occupies a correspondingly inclined position, theinclination being shared also by the stick or candle of lubricantcontained within the guide-tube. Hence the said stick or candle tends toslide down within the guidetube and to press at its front end againstthe outer surface of the guide-rail. The guide-tube 7 is secured inplace within the boss or nipple 6 by means of the clamp ing-screw 9,Fig. 2. By manipulation of the said screw, and shifting of theguide-tube back and forth in the direction of the length of theguide-tube, the front end of the latter may be adjusted into therequired position with relation to the outer surface of the The saidfront end is caused to occupy a position close to the said surface, soas to support the corresponding end of the stick or candle at a pointclosely adjacent the guide-rail, to guard against the breakage of thecandle which would be likely if the candle were not thus closelysupported.

In the practical use of the device, as the car to which the latter isapplied goes up and down, the front end of the stick or candle 8 oflubricant, hereinafter termed simply the candle, rubs against the outersurface of the guide-rail, distributing the lubricant along theguide-rail. By the action of the elevator-shoe the lubricant thusdistributed is spread upon the sides of the guide rail.

To provide for the free escape and dropping of loose portions andfragments from the lower front end of the candle 8, the front end of theguide-tube 7 is, in accordance with one feature of my invention, cutaway at. both sides of an intermediate nose-portion 7*, the latterlocated at the under side of the guide-tube. By cutting away the frontend of the guide-tube in the manner referred to, any loose small piecesof lubri-v cant are permitted to escape laterally, while the nose 7 willsupport the front end of the candle in close proximity to theguide-rail, in case such end should be forced downward. The nose 7 alsoconstitutes a gage in setting the guide-tube, enabling the requiredclose ness of approach of the end of the guidetube to the guide-rail tobe secured without closing the interval between such end and the surfaceof the guide-rail. In seeing the guide-tube the latter will be drawnback slightly so that the end of the noseshall not scrape.

To supportthe outer end of the candle 8 of lubricant I provide the saidouter end with a stem 10 projecting therefrom in the direction of thelength of the candle, and I furnish the outer end of the guide tube 7with a removable cap 11 having a hole through which the said stemextends. The said hole is located at such height relative to the bottomof the guide-tube that when the stem 10 of a candle 8 occupies the holethe outer end of the candle, and the'main length of the candleitselfexcept close to the front end of the candle, are held out ofcontact with the surface of the guide-t ube. The engagement of the stemwith the guide prevents lateral displacement of the candle.

To constitute a visible indicator showing the length of candle withinthe device, the portion of the stem 10 which extends beyond the guide 11projects into full view. The extent to which the outer portion of thestem projects from the guide shows how much candle remains unconsumedwithin the guide-tube. As the candle is consumed and slides downwardwithin the guide-tube the outer. portion of the stem moves inwardthrough the guide 11, thereby shortening the length exposed and thusindicating the extent to which the candle has been consumed.

In applying a candle the guide-tube ordinarily will be released byturning out the screw 9, and then withdrawn from the boss or nipple 6.The stem 10, holder 12, and end-cap 11 may also be removed from the tube7, and when the candle has been placed within the holder 12 and thecandle, holder 12, and stem introduced into the guide-tube, and end-cap11 has been replaced, the tube 7 will be returned to its workingposition and secured therein by turning up the said screw 9. Forconvenience in connecting the candle 8 with the stem 10, the said stemmay be furnished at the inner end thereof with a simple socket as inFig. 2, to receive and hold one end of the candle. Or, as

shown in Fig. 3. one end of the candle may be molded within acoupling-ferrule 13 having a central sleeve 13 which extend into thematerial of the candle, said sleeve being internally screr -threadetl,and the stem, 10, may have its inner end portion screw-threaded to enterand engage with the said sleeve, and he provided with a collar or flange10 to make contact with the outer end of the said ferrule. The said collar or flange it) constitutes a stop to limit the extent to which thestem can be screwed into the sleeve of ti e ferrule, and also givesmetal end-piece 14 applied in connection I with the outer end of thecandle. and a stem 10 provided with a sitnilar sheet-metal spirallythreaded socket 1W to receive the said end-piece 14 of the candle.

Fig. 6 shows a cap 17 applied to the outer end of a candle and having arounded swell or projection 15 pressed outward therefrom, and a stem 1Ohaving a socket 10 tormed with a right-angled or bayonet-joint slot 10"to receive the said rounded swell or projection 15' the parts beingconnected and locked together by inserting the cap 15 into the socket 10and moving the swell or projection 15 inward along the longitudinalportion of the slot 10 and then turning the parts relatively to eachother so as to -arr v the said swell or projection into the transverseportion of the said slot.

The various devices which have just been described provide in convenientand simple manner for the connection of the candle with the stem, andthe disconnection of the andle or the unused portion thereof from thesaid stem.

To reduce the tendency of the candle S to adhere to the interior of theguide-tube T, especially when the candle is softened by warmth, I makethe candle with a hard surtace-layer or shell, as 8", of parattin orother To reduce the rate of consumption of the candle, and to regulatesuch rate, I form the candle with different longitudinal portions ofditterent hardnesses. Thus, herein 1 show a core b' of greater hardnessthan the portion ot the candle outside such core. For instance, the coremay be composed of grease, wax, and graphite mixed together, and theintermediate portion or body of the candle between the said col". andthe coating or shell of wax and grapl'iite may be coinposed of softgrease.

I claim as my invention:

1. A guide-rail lubricator comprising a case or shell having a verticalrecess or slot to receive and tit a guide-rail to he lubricated, aforwardly and downwardly inlined holder, providing a support tor theunder side of a stick or candle ot' lubricant adjacent said guide-rail,and means tor adjusting the said holder lengthwise, to vary the distancebetween said guide-rail and the inner end of the support beneath thecorresponding end of the stick or candle.

Q. A guide-rail luhricator comprising a case or shell having a verticalrecess or slot to receive and tit a guide-rail to be lubricated and aforwardly and downwardly inclined holder l'iaving sides converging at anangle to support a stick or candle of lubricant with its lower inner endin contact with the guide-rail. and alcng which inclined holder the saidstick or candle l'eeds toward the guide-rail as it is consumed.

A guide-rail lubricator comprising a case or shell having a verticalrecess or slot to receive and fit a guide-rail to be lubricated, and aforwardly and downwardly iiiclined holder consisting of a rectangulartube having one of the angles at its under side. to support a stick orcandle of lubricant with its lower inner end in contact with theguide-rail. and along which inclined holder the said stick or holderfeeds toward the guide-rail as it is consumed.

l. A guide-rail lubricator having a tor wardly and downwardly inclinedholder tor a stick or candle ot lubri ant,to support said stick orcandle with its lower inner end in contact with the guide-rail, and downwhich the stick or candle is fed as it is consumed. and a support.slidable in the direction ot' the length of the stick or candle, bywhich the outer end of the stick or candle is held away from the saidholder so that the stick suitable wax, or its equivalent, and further,

in order to facilitate the slipping ot the candle along within theguide'tube I employ, in making the candle, either throughout the mass ofthe same, or in the said surface-shell, a dry lubricant such, forinstance, as graphite. Instead of incorporating the said dry lubricantin thematerial ot' the shell or of the candle itself. it may be appliedto the exterior surface.

or candle makes contact only at its inner end with the holder.

5. guide-rail lubricator comprising a case or shell having a verticalrecess or slot to receive and tit a guide-rail. and a ton 1 wardly anddownwardly inclined holder for a stick or candle ot lubricant, tosupport said stick or candle with its lower inner end in contact withthe guide-rail. and down which the stick or candle is t ed as it isconsumed. and a support, slidalole in the direction of the length of thestick or candle, by which the outer end of the stick or candle is heldaway from the said holder so that the stick or candle makes contact onlyat its inner end with the holder,

(3. guide-rail luhricator having a forwardly and downwardly inclinedholder tor a stick or candle of lubricant, to support said stick orcandle with its lower inner end in contact with the guide rail, and

down which the stick or 'andle ted as it is consumed. a stem adapted tohe connected with the outer end of said stick or randle, and a c'uide{or said stem supj'iorting' the same and said end of the stick or candleso that the stick or candle makes contact only at its inner end with theholder.

T. A guide-rail luhriator comprising a case or shell having a verticalrecess or slot to receive and lit a guide-ail, and a lorardly anddownwardly inclined holder for a stick or candle ot luhri ant, tosupport said stick or candle with its lower inner end in contact withthe guide-rail. and down which the stick or candle is fed as it is onsinned, a stem adapted to he connected with the outer end of said stickor candle, and a guide for said stem supporting the same and said end ofthe stick or analle so that the stick or candle makes contact only atits inner end with the holder.

8. A guide-rail luhricator having a tor wardl' and downwardly inclinedholder tor a stick or candle ot' luhricant. to support said stick orcandle with its lower inner end in ccntact with the guide-rail. and downwhich the stick or *andle is fed as it consumed. a stem adapted to heconnected with the outer end of said stick or candle, and a guide forsaid stein supporting the same and said end of the stick or candle sothat the stick or camlle makes contact only at its inner end with theholder. the said stem pro jet-ting into sight and constituting a \isualindicator tor indicating the length of stick or candle remaining in thedevice.

9. A guidea'ail luhricator comprising a case or shell having a verticalrecess or slot to receive and lit a guide-rail and a tor wardly anddownwardly inclined holder tor a stick or *andle of luhricant, tosupport said stick or candle with its lower inner end in contact withthe guide-rail. and down which the stick or candle is fed as it isconsumed. a stem adapted to he connected with j l l j l l l l l l l theouter end of said stick or :andle. and a 1 guide for said stemsupporting the same and said end of the stick or candle so that thestick or candle makes contact only at its inl uer end with the holder,the said stem projectinp; into sight and constituting a visual indicatortor indi 'ating the length ot' stick or candle remaining in the device,

It). A guide-rail luhricator having a tor wardly and downwardly inclinedholder for a stick or candle of luhricant. to support said stick orcandle with its lower inner end in contact with a guide rail and downwhich the stick or candle ted as it. is consumed. said inclined holderhaying at its lowe end a projecting toe to .npport the end ot the candleclosely adjacent the surface to he luhricatcd. with the sides of theholder ahove said toe receding? to permit escape of tragmenls otluhricant.

ll. guide-rail lnhricatcr war-:ll i' and downwardly i having a forholder for a stick or candle of la ilfzlllt, to support said stick orrandle with i s lower inner end in contact with a gnide-rail and downwhich the stick c 'andle is led as it is consumed, said inclined holdcrhaving at its lower end a projecting tt't! to support the end of thecandle closely adjacent the surface to he luhricated. with the ot' theholder ahorc said toe receding to permit escape ot t'ragmcn s ot'lubricant. and means to adjust the approach ct said toe to the saidsurface.

12. 1X euideaail luhricator having a tervardly and downwardly inclinedholder with a Vshaped hottom to support a stick or candle ot' luhricantwith its lower inner end in contact with a guide-rail. and down whichthe stick or cand e is ted as it is consumed. said inclined holderhaving; at its lower end a projecting toe to support the eml ot thecandle closely adjacent the surface to he luhricatcal. with the sidesol' the holder above said toe receding to permit escape ot fragments ofluhricant.

l3. )1 guide-rail luhricator haying a torwardly and downwardly inclinedholder with a Vshapcd hottom to support a stick or candle of luhricantwith its lower inner end in contact with a uidea'ail. and down which thestick or candle is ted as it is consumed, said inclined holder having atits lower end a 'n'ojecting' toe to support the end of the candleclosely adjacent the sar tace to he lubricated, with the sides of theholder ahove said toe receding to permit escape of fragments oflubricant. and means to adjust th approach oi said toe to the saidsurtace.

in testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnes es.

GEORGE IRTGGEN'.

sides Vitnesses CHAS. l IiANDAIiL. ELLEN O. Srmxo,

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